Archery meet begins today

Tupelo High School junior Trevor Bates-Webb is an avid outdoorsman, but today he’ll test his archery skills indoors.
Bates-Webb and the Golden Wave archery team, along with archers from 12 other Northeast Mississippi area high school teams, will compete in the two-day state shoot at the Kirk Fordice Equine Center in Jackson.
“I’m an avid bow hunter and fisherman, and I play soccer, too, but not for the high school team,” Bates-Webb said. “I’m looking forward to the state shoot. We need to stay relaxed and remain focused.”
Tupelo qualified for the state match with a score of 2,752 in the North state shoot. Bates-Webb was second on the Golden Wave with a 260×300 individual score.
Jordan Alexander, a senior, led Tupelo with a 268×300 shoot. Richie Taylor was third (252), followed by Zack Wilson (246), Patrick Games (244), Ben Warren (239), Luke Tucker (233), Samuel Lucas (233). Sarah Barron (228), Jessie McGee (228), Jasmine Gardner (200) and Abigail Grant (171).
The Tupelo program, coached by Tim Wigginton, is in its third season and making its first appearance in the state shoot. They will compete against other MHSAA Class 6A teams.
The event is sanctioned by the MHSAA, but the state shoot is not.
“I see it becoming a sanctioned sport,” Wigginton said. “More and more high schools are getting involved each year. I see it becoming recognized like any of the other sports.
“A lot of kids who participate in archery don’t compete in any other sports. The sport teaches focus and discipline.”
Tupelo is scheduled to compete today only.
A team can compete with a maximum of 24 shooters, but only 12 scores count toward winning a championship. Four of the 12 scores have to be from the opposite gender.
gene.phelps@journalinc.com